The English Orphans eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 366 pages of information about The English Orphans.

The English Orphans eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 366 pages of information about The English Orphans.

As a last request Mrs. Temple had asked that her baby Jane should be given to the care of her sister, Mrs. Morris who was on the eve of embarking for America, and who within four weeks after her sister’s death sailed with her; young niece for Boston.  Sarah, too, was adopted by her father’s brother; and thus Mr. Temple was left alone with his eldest daughter, Ella.  Occasionally he heard from Jane, but time and distance gradually weakened the tie of parental affection, which wound itself more closely around Ella; and now, when she, too, left him, and worse than all, married a poor music teacher, the old man’s wrath knew no bounds.

“But, we’ll see,” said he, as with his hands behind him, and his head bent forward, he strode up and down the room—­“we’ll see how they’ll get on.  I’ll use all my influence against the dog, and when Miss Ella’s right cold and hungry, she’ll be glad to come back and leave him.”

But he was mistaken, for though right cold and hungry Ella ofttimes was, she only clung the closer to her husband, happy to share his fortune, whatever it might be.  Two years after her marriage, hearing that her father was dangerously ill, she went to him, but the forgiveness she so ardently desired was never gained, for the old man’s reason was gone.  Faithfully she watched until the end, and then when she heard read his will (made in a fit of anger), and knew that his property was all bequeathed to her sister in America, she crushed the tears from her long eyelashes and went back to her humble home prepared to meet the worst.

In course of time three children, Frank, Mary, and Ella were added to their number, and though their presence brought sunshine and gladness, it brought also an increase of toil and care.  Year after year Mr. Howard struggled on, while each day rumors reached him of the plenty to be had in the land beyond the sea; and at last, when hope seemed dying out, and even his brave-hearted Ella smiled less cheerfully than was her wont to do he resolved to try his fortune in the far-famed home of the weary emigrant.  This resolution he communicated to his wife, who gladly consented to accompany him, for England now held nothing dear to her save the graves of her parents, and in the western world she knew she had two sisters, Sarah having some years before gone with her uncle to New York.

Accordingly the necessary preparations for their voyage were made as soon as possible, and when the Windermere left the harbor of Liverpool, they stood upon her deck waving a last adieu to the few kind friends, who on shore were bidding them “God speed.”

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The English Orphans from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.